PHNOM PENH: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, held a press conference on Wednesday morning, 13 July, regarding Cambodia-US relations. During the press conference, it was noteworthy that the organizers gave authority to only some institutions to ask questions.

Only VOA, VOD, Khmer Times, Reuters, and the Southeast Asia Globe had the opportunity to ask questions to the Assistant Secretary, while other news media in attendance were not afforded the same opportunity.

The President of the Union of Journalist Federations of Cambodia (UJFC), Huy Vannak, has expressed regret on how institutions can be selective during such interviews with foreign officials like Assistant Secretary Daniel Kritenbrink.

"We do not know whether it was intentional or unintentional, but it seems that receiving questions is more selective than first-come, first-serve," he said.

Daniel J. Kritenbrink became Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs on 24 September 2021. He visited Cambodia this week to meet with Cambodian Foreign Minister, DPM Prak Sokhonn, and other senior officials to discuss bilateral relations, U.S. support for Cambodia as ASEAN chair, and regional and global issues.